Joe Carnahan Takes On Revamped 'Umbra'

EXCLUSIVE: Umbra, the Steven Karczynski-scripted thriller, nearly got off the ground last year at Relativity Media with director Roger Donaldson and Nicolas Cage. But it fell apart over budget. It has come together at Endgame with Joe Carnahan making a deal to rewrite the script and direct. The thriller concerns a man who finds an old cassette tape which reveals a horrifying secret. Hal Lieberman will produce with Endgame’s James Stern. Carnahan is out to cast on The Grey, a drama he’ll direct that has Liam Neeson starring. Carnahan, who last directed Fox’s The A Team, is repped by CAA.

Do the studios know they don’t have to keep hiring the same 5 writers? This is why movies suck. And nothing against Carnahan, or his brother, but when a guy works on 15 scripts a year, the originality goes bye-bye

I think the originality gets lost when a director re-writes the script. If it was good enough for Roger Donaldson and Nicolas Cage – why change what the writer intended?

Say it isn't so Joe • on Oct 13, 2010 3:43 pm

From Fox to Endgame? What’s a matter Joe— couldn’t make it at a real studio? My, my how the mighty have fallen…

JaySmack • on Oct 13, 2010 3:43 pm

Good for Joe!

insider • on Oct 13, 2010 3:43 pm

The A-Team didn’t even make 100 million internationally and barely 77 million domestic.

Major red ink for FOX.

I know. I work there.

Man with Taste • on Oct 13, 2010 3:43 pm

Dumb director for a dumb script. Perfect match.

Bryan Todd • on Oct 13, 2010 3:43 pm

Congrats really goes to Steve. He stuck with it for 5 years and landed on his feet…, and he’s a good guy. I’ll look forward to watching this, it’s one hell of a good script!

slambam • on Oct 13, 2010 3:43 pm

Yeah but CarnahaM now has to do his rewrite-thing.

The A-Team was mediocre and Smokin Aces was lame.

He should just leave well enough alone if it’s a great script.

Someday he’ll be rewritten and will go on one of his blowout rants.

If this movie tanks the marketing dept. better get their helmets on!

Lenny Nero • on Oct 13, 2010 3:43 pm

What happened to that guy?
I remember being blown away by the raw and energetic “Narc”.
I was so eagerly anticipating his follow-up and “Smokin’ Aces” was disappointing in every aspect and “The A-Team” was just unnecessary.

I hope he really learns from his last two movies and makes another one as great as “Narc”.